5 comments about Red Prophet.

1. I love the concept of an alternate American History that the author uses. The story is amazing and I can't wait to see how it unfolds.



2. The scope of the Tales of Alvin Maker series greatly expands with this book. New characters and places, as well as much deeper insights into the political landscape of the [imaginary] time make this story so much more than the telling of a special child growing up in Vigor Church. Characters familiar to us from our own world history play a much larger role in this book, with William Henry Harisson and Napoleon having the most impact. As with 'Seventh Son', Card relies heavily on vernacular from "Ol-timey America" to emphasize and bring to life his characters. This also influences the naming of geographical features like rivers and mountains (with the Big Muddy being referred to as the Mizzipy). Some reviewers have complained about this, saying they get tripped up over the vocab, but IMHO it works great and adds life to the story.
   
   One very noticeable difference between this book and the previous one is the escalation in the amount of and the explicit nature of violence. OSC has a gift of being able to portray feelings and emotion in a powerful way, as well as being able to paint extremely vivid pictures with his words. A couple of scenes in this book (especially revolving around Mike Fink and Measure) are very graphic and brutal. Some of this material may not be appropriate for young or sensitive readers. This book is definitely more mature and darker than any other OSC books I've read (Ender and Homecoming series). Just a warning.
   
   'Red Prophet' opens up by telling the story of the Shining Man that appears in 'Seventh Son', who is known in this book as Lolla-Wossiky, Tenskwa-Tawa, or simply The Prophet. In fact, the first quarter of this book has an overlapping timeline with the first book, telling of broader events occurring while the more personal events of Alvin growing up are happening. The story eventually catches up to where 'Seventh Son' ends, with Alvin setting of to apprentice as a blacksmith. Instead of that, he and his brother Measure find themselves captives of some pretty evil Reds hired by the even more evil William Henry Harisson. The majority of the book follows Alvin as he learns more about his abilities and about Red-magic from a powerful new character named Ta-Kumsaw. Meanwhile, grand events are taking shape that will lead to a major confrontation between the Reds and the Whites that could shatter hope for a peaceful future.
   
   All in all, this book does a great deal to progress the overall theme of the series, with Alvin undergoing much maturing, and the world around him being shaped by many powerful forces. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.



3. More of a continuation of Seventh Son than a sequel it actually begins some time before the first book ended. The story starts at a meeting between Andrew Jackson and William
   Henry Harris, talking about the removal of Red (or Indians) from newly acquired lands in the West. From there the story follows two Red brothers; one is Lolla-Wossiky, who starts out as a nearly insane and eventually becomes a great spiritual leader advocating peaceful co-existence with white settlers. The other is strong warrior Ta-Kumsaw who wants to lead the Reds in revolt against the expanding white men with the help of the French and Napoleon Bonapart. In the middle is young Alvin Miller, the Maker. Alvin is still learning how to use his magic for good, and has a bad feeling about helping Ta-Kumsaw in rising against his own, but helps none the less because he knows the Reds cause is right, if not the means.
   
   I must be honest I didn't like this book as well as I did "Seventh Son". First it was a lot bigger in scope, which I understand was the idea, but I liked the last books focus on Alvin and his private war with The Unmaker. Also I didn't like the attitude Scott had against white people spoiling everything they touch. I know this was a prevalent attitude that the Native Americans had (and some still do), but I thought that the sentiment was taken too far, and made me uncomfortable while reading "Red Prophet". Also the battle scenes are barely described in any detail; not the massacre at Prophetown or the battle at Detroit.
   
   I did like the characterizations of the people involved though. They all rang true, especially Ta-Kumsaw. Alvin is a sweet young kid with powers he doesn't understand, and that seemed real as well.
   
   All in all, I just didn't care for this book. I hope you'll enjoy it more than I did.



4. Dull, mormon wish fulfillment just fantasy. Card may have come up with some clever and complex science fiction, but he has also accomplished some terribly turgid fantasy. A suggestion and loaned from a friend, the stinking rotter. :)



5. In a pre-industrial America where magic, religion, and science compete for ascendancy, Card has created a unique alternate history wherein the states are not united, various regions owe allegiance to various central governments, and Native Americans represent a dangerous and unpredictable force. Picking up the story of Alvin Miller begun so impressively in Seventh Son, Card introduces Alvin to the mystical world of aboriginal Americans. From his "Red" mentor Tenskwa-Tawa, Alvin learns the folk magic of Native Americans, who "run with the Greensong," drawing power from the wild, uncultivated land. This puts them in conflict with the White frontiersmen, whose growing domination of the land is destroying the very wilderness that the "Reds" depend on and revere. Also in this second installment, Card begins the practice of introducing famous names from history (e.g. LaFayette, Napoleon, William Henry Harrison) and imagining how they fit in this vastly different world. Harrison plays the heavy in this version of history, and sets events in motion that change Alvin and his family forever. There are a couple of unforgettable scenes of horrific violence and its terrible aftermath that are easily among the most powerful in the series, but may be too intense for younger readers. Nonetheless, this a very engrossing read, propelled by Card's seemingly effortless prose and storytelling skill. Further volumes in the series are: Prentice Alvin, Alvin Journeyman, Heartfire, and The Crystal City, but be forewarned that as of this writing, the series has no definite conclusion.

5 comments about Heartfire (Tales of Alvin Maker).

1. I originally read this when it first came out, then re-read the series when I got the new book (The Crystal City) for Christmas. This one was not as good as the other books in this series.

   The story started off very slow, with a lot of nonsense about Arthur Staurt and Audobon (who could have been left out of the book completely) and birds. While this was explained somwhat at the end of the book, it was still too much and too slow. The book does get better near the end, but by that time, there has been too much junk preceeding it to make it seem worthwhile. The dialogue between Denmark and Gullah Joe is particularly boring and painful to read.

   I give this book three stars only because of the characters, which are still great, and the ongoing story of Alvin's quest to build the Crystal City, but it wasn't a great story on its own. If you've read the other books in the series, this one is worth reading just to continue the story, but just barely. I hope the next book can return to the great stories from the previous books, if not, then I hope it will at least be the last in this series.




2. Incomprehensible. I am an absolute fan of Orson Scott Card, anything he writes I will pick up to read. But this book stopped me cold. Based on the premise of the book, knack's that are almost magical, I should have loved it. But the quality of the prose plummeted in this book. I just didn't' get it



3. Card spends two thirds of the book exchanging banter between characters, none of which advance plot or advance character development. We then end up with Alvin waiting around in jail (again) and an impending courtcase (again). Oh woe the day Verily Cooper was introduced so Card could stick his books into a court case to explain what he wants to tell us.
   
   I loved the 1st 3 books, was okay with the 4th book (but only okay), and this book made me angry. And this book did little, if anything, to advance the overall story arc of The Tales Of Alvin Maker.



4. It's getting colse to the end and I don't want it to end. Great book.



5. Card's `Alvin Maker' series takes us down an alternate timeline to a pre-industrial America where magic, religion, and science compete for ascendancy. If you haven't read the first two volumes: `Seventh Son' and `Red Prophet' leave this page now and go check them out. Not only will further installments make little sense without that background, but they're nowhere near as good, and `Heartfire' is certainly no exception. The bottom line on the series is this - if you liked `Alvin Journeyman' you'll probably like `Heartfire', too. It features the same characters, and yet another courtroom drama, and no particular progress towards any specific goal. If you were disappointed enough by `Journeyman' that you're considering abandoning the series altogether, there's nothing in this book that you just have to come back for.
   
   This reviewer has to admit to still being hooked despite the serious drop-off in quality since the series' inception. Card's "knack" lies in keeping us interested even when the plot doesn't seem to be gong anywhere. One still wants to know what comes next, perhaps optimistically thinking that he'll take us somewhere worthwhile if we just stick with him long enough. As of this writing, the series is still incomplete, so perhaps there's still hope. But the hope lies with Card's talent, and not in this scattered installment.

5 comments about Xenocide.

1. Ender's Game was great, and I enjoyed Speaker for the Dead for most of it. But I stopped reading Xenocide halfway through. It's painfully slow, talks endlessly of religion, and has none of the character of the first two books. If you're a fan of Card, you may want to skip over this book (to save your opinion of him!).



2. I loved Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead is one of my all-time favorites. However, Card really drops the ball on this one. Unless you have nothing else to read, give this one a pass. His characters are inconsistent, his science is iffy, and he leaves wide open holes.
   
   When I finished the book, I felt like I'd really waisted my time on this one.



3. This is the third book in Card's "Ender" series. After finding it hard to put the first two down, the third is a disappointment. Xenocide tries to span the known universe - with plots and sub-plots taking place on several of the 'Hundred Worlds'. It drags in a lot of places and is just too long for no purpose I can discern. I'm struggling to get through it and am not sure I'll continue with the series now.



4. Ender's Game is an absolutely amazing book--I have given it to countless people who have uniformly loved it. Personally, I like Speaker for the Dead even more than Ender's Game, as it deals with interesting moral dilemmas.
   However, Xenocide is boring, ridiculous, and uninteresting. You, like me, want to continue reading about Ender. But trust me, you should stop at Speaker for the Dead.



5. In the middle of my last law school exam, someone looked at my copy of Xenocide and asked me if I had been disappointed by the direction the series had taken. Although stressed from the upcoming exam (anyone who has survived their first year of law school can understand), I looked at him and told him that I was disappointed, especially considering how remarkable the book that started it all - Ender's Game - had been.
   
   At some point, Card decided, or maybe it was in him all along, that a book of science fiction philosophy would be more appealing than continuing the epic adventure of Andrew Wiggin and his family in the same kind of fast-paced, exciting prose. For those familiar with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series, this book is the kind of filler that you find in the last few books of the series. Don't get me wrong, if science fiction philosophy were a genre unto itself, then this would do very well; however, considering how almost monumental the first book was, this shift (started in Speaker for the Deadi) is incredibly disappointing. If I wanted philosophy and discussions concerning the human psyche I would turn to Sartre or the Bible. But Card is not content with advancing the story and instead gives us 300 pages of fluff.
   
   Maybe I'm being too hard, but I've really been expecting something more from this series. Some things do happen - Ender et al figures out how to travel faster than the speed of light, the piggies and the humans learn how to tame the descolada virus, and we are introduced to a world called Path where certain individuals can commune with the gods. Unfortunately, that's almost all that happens. The buggers, humans, and piggies are still stuck on Lusitania and the fleet has yet to arrive. That is how the book starts and that is how it ends.
   
   For those who want an end to the series, you, like myself, have to march on, but for those who have finished Ender's Game should read Ender's Shadow and possibly move on to something else.
   
   Some interesting quotes:
   
   "Every day all people judge all other people. The question is whether we judge wisely."
   
   "Isn't it possible, he wondered, for one person to love another without trying to own each other? Or is that buried so deep in our genes that we never get it out? Territoriality. My wife. My friend. My lover."
   
   "Parents always make their mistakes with the oldest children. That's when parents know the least and care the most, so they're more likely to be wrong and also more likely to insist they are right."

5 comments about Ender's Game (Ender).

1. do you like books? do you like characters with superhero-like abilities? do you like lasers that go pew-pew? Then you'll enjoy this novel.



2. This is book one of my favorites and I've often lent it out to friends. They like it so much they lend it to their friends... so I've bought several copies over the years. This time I was unlucky: I ordered the paperback version that does NOT include the introduction. This introduction includes excerpts from letters sent to Card about their reactions to the story along with insight into the his intentions. The paperback version I'd chosen omits this, and instead puts a cheesy "reading guide" for young readers at the back. Luckily Amazon lets you glance at the table of contents -- I wish I'd checked!



3. The book presents a mirror through the eyes or a genius child which we use to look at our own trespasses. Is what we do to others and to ourselves really right?
   
   This is an excellent book for young and old and I highly recommend it.



4. This is my favorite book! i read again in 2 days recently and i still picked up new things from it. its a great read for people of all ages younger people will like the action while as you get older you can appreciate the fine lines of an ethical struggle between the sacrifice of one for the good of many, and who decides what the good is. Hightly recommended!



5. Orson Scott Card is a GENIUS! Ender's Game was fast-paced and vividly detailed. It was so realistic, but had just the right amount of detail to keep you hooked. Never bored me at all. I loved it in 6th grade and still love it all these years later. This book converted me to a science-fiction lover, even though I didn't like to read much before. Wow! Definitely a 5-star book!

5 comments about Shadow of the Hegemon.

1. Although I love the way Orson Scott Card writes, I feel that the subject matter in the latter Ender books appeals to a different audience than the original Ender book.



2. I have read the whole ender series, but with a strange sequence which may have affected the way I view the different books in the series. The first book I have read was the Shadow of the Hegemon, thanks to a tourist that had left it in the library of a hotel in Skiathos island. This book got me hooked, but it confused me also as I didn't know if I should start reading the next books or the previous ones.
   
   The general pattern in the whole series is:
   The beginning book is Ender's Game. Then we have two subcategories, one the Shadow series (which, with the exception of the first book, take place on earth and are more within military strategy) and one the Ender series (which take place in space and are more into new sci-fi ideas). Shadow series probably can be read from everyone, while I guess that the Ender series (especially from Speaker for the Dead onwards) would be read mainly from sci-fi fans.
   Below are my comments for the books of the series, in the order I have read them and a marking (10 is the highest mark):
   
   Shadow of the Hegemon: The first book I have read, and which I could not leave from my hands. I finished it in 2 days. It was fast paced action, very smart plot and after reading it I believed that Orson Scot Card (OSC) has invented/re-invented a new genre of literature. That of military strategy and adventure combined with brilliance/mind games and hidden portions of romance. Such books always existed but this seemed to be THE book. It was like the way Dan Brown re-invented books with trivials and puzzles, together with fast paced adventure. I strongly recommend it to everybody that likes such type of books. (mark: 10)
   
   Shadow puppets: The sequel to the above. I found it interesting but somehow boring as the above story developed little and the focus was on the characters (maybe too much focus so that it seemed to me that it was slightly mumbling jumbling. Strategy, brilliance and adventure seemed to be very low here. I would not recommend it for anybody to read it in isolate, unfortunately you have to read it if you want to go to the next book. I really believe that OSC made a mistake here (deliberately or not) as this book should have been told in 50-60 pages and be included in the previous or the next book. (mark: 6 but you will read it because you will want to read Shadow of the Giant)
   
   Shadow of the Giant: (see below)
   
   Ender's game: A really great book to read, probably the best of the series, however, as I had read its sequels first, when I reached the 80% of this book, I had predicted the end. However, it's at the highest standards of sci-fi, military strategy, adventure, brilliant mind games and very good depth in the human aspect of the characters. In comparison to the shadow series, it is more "space" sci-fi, while shadow series have much lesser sci-fi elements and are more down to earth. (mark: 10)
   
   Speaker for the dead: Another great book, but different style. Less adventure, more human aspect, more maturity. Brilliance yes, but not military, sci-fi yes (some great ideas) but not spaceship style. (Mark: 9)
   
   Xenocide: A good sequel of the previous novel. In certain points more brilliant, in other sections more boring, however is again a very good sci-fi book. The only flaw in these series (Speker for the dead, Xenocide, Children of the mind) is the idea behind one of the alien species described which I found outrageously extreme, however if you ignore it becomes first class reading. (Mark: 9)
   
   Children of the mind: I think that OSC has wrapped up his case pretty badly in that one. It's a fair book except the fact that I felt that OSC mumbles jumbles for one third of the novel not having decided how to end it. In other critiques I have found it described as nice approach to moral dilemmas, however, moral dilemma is when you describe it once and make your choice, while here the dilemma is repeated and repeated... I felt like I was watching a movie worth 10 oscars and the end did not worth to be included even in a cheap video movie. And again, many open ends at the end (for possible sequels). (Mark: 7 but you will read it as you will be hooked from the previous ones).
   
   Ender's shadow: Having read Enders Game and Shadow of the Hegemon, I found this book probably the best of the series, which of course is my subjective preference. I could characterize it as probably the best book I have read ever! Not to repeat myself, it has all that Shadow of the Hegemon and Ender's Game have, and even more...(Mark: the absolute 10).
   
   Shadow of the Giant: When I read shadow puppets, I said, "that's it, OSC has lost either his talent or his appetite for good writing...", so I was pretty unwilling to read it. Fortunately I decided to, as it proved to be a good one, were I believe that OSC has nicely wrapped up his story, with two small flaws.
   * The one is described below (its end needed to be slightly more complete) and,
   * The other is the fact that although he describes certain smart battles, he does not focus enough on them as it seems that he is in a hurry to wrap all things up. It had all elements to become a masterpiece but it ended up being a good to read book (Mark: 9)
   
   In general, both series have three categories of good stuff:
   1) Some great sci-fi ideas (battle room, battle games, fantasy game, ansible, aia, Jane, in/out travel, raman varelse etc)
   2) Great military strategy, mind games etc combined with adventure
   3) In certain books, depth of characters, moral dilemmas etc
   And two main bad stuff:
   1) Mumbling jumbling in certain books which was completely unnecessary (either OSC wanted just to produce and sell another title - see shadow puppets- or he could not decide how the story will continue-see last book of Ender series).
   2) One of the alien species described in the Ender series was so too outrageous even for sci-fi that made it look ridiculous. The idea behind it was brilliant in sci-fi terms, but he could try a different living organism...
   Finally, OSC has left open ends in both series (probably for next sequels), however I believe that there are two things missing. a) the story of the Hive Queen and the Hegemon, told in a metaphorical manner so it means much for humanity. b) In ancient theatre, a story should end in a way that brings "katharsis" to the story, and the souls of the readers. I believe that the end of the shadow of the giant may be smart for commercial purposes but it was very unfair to the reader as it did not bring full "katharsis".



3. I bought this for Christmas for my 32 yr. old daughter. She loved it.



4. Bean, the Brother, and the woman.
   
   
   Card continues to explore his Enderverse, and this time the story is set after the war, and on Earth as Bean and Peter become deeply involved in the politics and plots of the time.
   
   Nasty conspiracies for all.
   
   Not as good as some of the others, but still a good book.



5. I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
   
   I, however, did not enjoy the audio presentation. There were several voice overs where the narrator voice was over written with a different voice. The last track on each CD was blank. I am not sure if this was by design. I had the impression that there was missing material. I listen to many books on tape, many where the books author is Orson Scott Card and I have never had issues until this particular book.

3 comments about The Elephants of Posnan: and Other Stories.

1. In this collection not only are you exposed to Orson Scott's Card's mastery of fiction, but you gain some insight into his creative process as well, thanks to the author's commentary on certain pieces.
   The various storys are a joy to listen to and range from science fiction to fantasy, from psychological thriller to love story.
   Whether you're a die hard Ender Series fan, a general fan of Card's, or a first time listener to the whole audiobook genre, there's something here you'll cherish.



2. I don't know what it is about Orson Scott Card -- Before I ever read him, I was prepared to not like him. I'd heard that he was a science fiction writer and that genre isn't a favorite of mine. However, my opinion now is that Card ranks as one of the absolute best and most skillful authors alive today. He has an amazing ability to get inside the person or circumstance he is writing about and make it into something that anyone could understand and be proundly moved by.

   In addition, he comes up with some of the most fascinating ideas for a story. The title piece, 'The Elephants of Posnan', is one example. Although there is no doubt that Card wasn't suggesting that the premise of this story is truth, it still left me mulling the entire piece over and over again. He makes such a moving and brilliant case for something entirely bizarre, and insightfully comments on the nature of man in the process. 'The Elephants of Posnan' was positively spellbinding, beginning to end.

   I love this collection. Orson Scott Card is a true master of his craft.




3. Listening to this work by Orson Scott Card is wonderful... you get a great Card tale several times a day. The stories are short, great, to the point, and excellently read. It was interesting to hear the short version of "Ender's Game" from its originally printed form. There were some other favorites that I had picked up in there, like "The Porcelain Salamander," which is a fascinating story I had read in another collection of his.

   I found these stories interesting. Sure, there was one or two I didn't care for all that much (or, possibly, didn't understand) but on the whole I'm glad I picked this series up. But this does seem to span several different genres, not just science fiction which is Orson Scott Card's main forte.

   I would highly recommend this to anybody who loves a good audio book. And, remember in life's battles: "The Enemy Gate is Down!!"

2 comments about Angles: And Other Stories.

1. This collection contains one Orson Scott Card story that you can't get anywhere else: Angles. The short story Angles is interesting enough by itself without the added bonuses of Orson himself reading Homeless in Hell, and many other readings by famous authors and members of Card's family. The story angles has really interesting and believable ideas about memory, what is involved and what some possibilities are. If you love OSC, this collection is a must get!



2. The stories and readers made this audiobook a good buy. I have listened to it twice since I received it.

1 comments about The Ender Wiggin Saga.

1. This four-volume set of 9 cassettes recounts the entire saga of Ender Wiggin and is packaged together for maximum impact. The initial titles in the saga are brought to life in abridged works which also benefit from a dual narration by Mark Rolston and Barrett Whitener. The effect is uniform and absorbing.

5 comments about Enchantment: A Classic Fantasy With a Modern Twist.

1. Who chose the reader of this book? And who did the abridgment? I'm still listening to the tape, but in spite of the terrible reading and only because the story -- in spite of the unexplained cuts and breaks -- itself is so good. If the tape hadn't been given to me as a gift, I would be really peeved right now at having spent money for it. I'm going to buy the book, though, because I want to get the whole story. When I read the book, I'm sure I'll be able to give it a much better review than this review of the tape.



2. The audio version of this book is well read but suffers from being rather poorly abridged. Abrubt segues will leave you wondering if you've lost mind. Perhaps the extracted portions of the text were not critical, but the remaining should have been changed so as not to refer to things and events the listener is not privy too.



3. Orson Scott Card has kept his outstanding reputation as one of the greatest science fiction authors of all time. This book combines information of the jewish lifestyle, and russian folklore, two things that i basically knew nothing about when i read this book. Card did some excellent research for this book, bringing back long forgotten people and places into modern day life. it's a story of adventure, love, and magic. i bought this book, not liking love stories, thinking that i might just read some of it and then store it on my shelf for a later time. But after the first few pages i was hooked; i couldn't put it down. This is a wonderful book, i would recomend this book to science fiction lovers and the dedicated Card readers. If you're looking for a new author, Orson Scott Card is truly wonderful.



4. a beautiful, highly original blend of love and magic.



5. Young Ivan "Vanya" Smetski never felt quite at home anywhere. When he was 10 years old, his father "rediscovered" his Jewish blood in a gambit to escape the dying Soviet Union, and finally brought the family to the United States. But Ivan was bound to go even farther. When walking through a Ukrainian clearing, he finds a beautiful woman asleep on a pedestal, guarded by a huge bear. Kissing this sleeping beauty awake, he suddenly finds himself whisked off Ninth Century Russia to face the wrath of the princess' enemy, the dreaded Baba Yaga.
   
   This is a truly wonderful book. I quickly found myself locked on the story, setting aside all other reading materials so I could devote all of my time to this book. The characters are interesting, and the storyline is gripping. The author does an excellent job of transporting the reader to another time and place. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

5 comments about The Call of Earth (Homecoming).

1. The character of Morpil completely made this book interesting enough to finish. The General picked up the otherwise listing storyline and made it worth the read.



2. I'm a Card fan and have been for decades. I love most everything he has written and re-read many of his books twice yearly. The Ender and Bean series, Songmaster, Alvin Maker, Treasure Box, The Lost Boys, Pastwatch, all are more than worthy of reading again and again and again. I even read Saints more than once and enjoyed it almost as much as the first read...and I'm not a Mormon.
   
   The Call of Earth series is incredibly boring. There is no other word for it. I forced myself through the first two books and about half of the third and then gave up. (I bought the entire set at once, simply because I had so loved his other works.) I'll never finish the series and have put the books into my 'Yard Sale' box of books I never want to read again.
   
   I have no idea why this is. Someone told me that 'Call' is the Book of Mormon redone in SF form and, if this is the case, perhaps Mark Twain was right.
   
   'Call' is "chloroform in print".



3. After reading the first book in the homecoming saga I was fairly dissapointed in The Call To Earth. The 2nd book seemed to lack any real substance. There really is nothing going on, it seems to me that Card made this book as a filler. There are a bunch of useless characters and useless events, this book could easily be condensed to around 200 pages and be much better than it is now. Personally I did enjoy it, although I have to admit more then a few times I dosed off reading the book and skipped a few pages simply to try to stop the boredom. I am hoping this book is a build up to the 3rd book in the series, if not Im afraid the rest of the saga may be just as bad if nto worse.



4. As the Oversoul continues to fail, more strong-minded people are discovering technologies that will ultimately lead to destruction of Harmony, just like what happened on Earth forty million years ago. One such leader is General Moozh, who is primed for conquest. Basilica, home city of young protagonist, Nafai, and his family, is starting to come apart at the seams, with militant groups roaming the streets causing the people to seclude themselves, creating general unrest. Nafai, led of the Oversoul's subtle nudging, must decide the fate of Basilica and planet Harmony. Yet, The Call of Earth is not about Harmony at all. Nafai is being called to bring the human species back to planet Earth.
   
   The author delves deep into the politics of an increasingly unstable Basilica, a matriarchal society where women control marriage and the city itself. Titles are being stripped from leaders. People are starting to abandon the carefree lifestyles of a free society. Bring into the story General Moozh, a ruthless leader of an outside force. He cannot be defeated in military maneuver, by oral discourse or by sword. He can only be welcomed into Basilica and by pure fate, his own progeny defeats and yet, seals his militant conquest. A very satisfying turn of events for the reader.
   
   The Call of Earth is much darker than is predecessor, The Memory of Earth, often leading the characters through forced maturation, conflict and even murder, at the direction of the Oversoul. We find that the Oversoul is much more of a machine that a god-figure and is quite fallible.
   
   Orson Scott Card is the author of science fiction and fantasy books and series and also a set of books on the "Women of Genesis".



5. If the first book was about discovering the Oversoul, this one is about using it.
   
   Card is great at writing drama, and his characters are always masters (or victims) of clever manipulations and roundabout plans. At the center of this drama in Call of Earth is the Oversoul, as well as another strange intelligent entity which gives the characters seperate dreams.
   
   [spoilers below]
   However, at the end of the book I felt kind of unsatisfied, because I didn't think Card fully explained Moozh's motivations for changing his mind and letting everyone finally leave the city. It kind of seemed like a cheap Grinch-like "his heart grew three times that day" moment. Also, I don't think he really explained well, through his characters, why they were willing to leave, although he attempted to do so, sort of.
   
   Either way, it kept me interested enough to pick it up during any free time, and I'm anxious to read part 3.
   
   I also would be interested to know what scene is depicted on the cover.